Rabbi Ishmael

Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha Nachmani (Hebrew: רבי ישמעאל בן אלישע), often known as Rabbi Yishmael and sometimes given the title "Ba'al HaBaraita" (Hebrew: בעל הברייתא), was a rabbi of the 1st and 2nd centuries (third generation of tannaim).

Life

He was a descendant of a wealthy priestly family in Upper Galilee. His year of birth was 90 CE. He was captured by the Romans as a young boy, but redeemed by R' Joshua ben Hananiah. R' Nehunya ben HaKanah became his teacher, and he remained a close colleague of Rabbi Joshua. He is likely the grandson of the high priest of the same name. He lived in Kfar Aziz, south of Hebron.

Some suppose that he was among the martyrs of Betar. The more generally received opinion, however, is that one of the martyrs was a namesake (Rabbi Ishmael's death is mentioned in ''Nedarim'' 9:10).

''Jewish Encyclopedia'' bibliography:
* Bacher, ' i. 210 et seq.;
*Brüll, ''Mebo ha-Mishnah'', i. 103 et seq.;
*Frankel, ''Darke ha-Mishnah'', pp. 105 et seq.;
* Grätz, ' iv. 60;
*, ' ii. 526 et seq.;
*Heilprin, ''Seder ha-Dorot'', ii.;
* Hoffmann, ''Einleitung in die Halachischen Midraschim'', p
5
et seq.;
* Weiss, ', i. 101 et seq.;
**idem, Introduction to his edition of Mekilta, x. et seq.;
*Zacuto, ''Yuḥasin'', ed. Filipowski, p. 25.

According to tradition, his burial place is at Parod in the Galilee.

Disposition

Yishmael's teachings were calculated to promote peace and goodwill among all: "Be indulgent with the hoary head;" he would say, "and be kind to the black-haired he young and meet every man with a friendly countenance".

What he taught he practised. Even toward strangers, he acted considerately. When a non-Jew greeted him, he answered kindly, "Your reward has been predicted"; when another abused him, he repeated coolly, "Your reward has been predicted." This apparent inconsistency, he explained to his puzzled disciples by quoting : "Cursed be one who curses you, and blessed be one who blesses you".

He was fatherly to the indigent, particularly to poor and plain maidens, whom he clothed attractively and provided with means, so that they might obtain husbands.

One Friday night, while absorbed in the study of the Bible, he inadvertently turned the wick of a lamp; and he vowed that when the Temple was rebuilt, he would offer there an expiatory sacrifice.

Views on marriage

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Halakhic exegesis

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